Val Pothecary, the Business Link adviser and coordinator for The Rural Dorset Business Clubs

 

 

Top Tips for Business

David Foster gave a talk on “planning for business growth” to four rural business clubs at their meetings over autumn and winter 2007. Run by Business Link Dorset, the clubs support rural businesses across Dorset and attract members from both companies and the self-employed. They meet regularly in Blandford, Gillingham, Sherborne and Wimborne and are organised by Val Pothecary at Business Link. Val’s email to David after the presentation to the Forum Business Club at Blandford said “Just to thank you for an excellent presentation last night – brilliant!!!”

David’s talk, about the ten most important things to remember when planning to expand a business, covered everything from Employing People to Marketing, and Finance to Customer Relations.

The key points to remember are:

1. Make your plan flexible, then stick to it

2. Focus on profitable sales, not any old sales

3. Avoid “ego-marketing”, you want to sell, not feel good

4. Look out for your critical non-essentials, they are what differentiate you

5. Growing can cost money, make sure you have enough of it

6. Manage your customer relations, it’s cheaper to keep customers than find them

7. Employ people with potential rather than experience, you can teach them what to do but not how to think and behave

8. Remember, neither your book-keeper nor your auditor is the Finance Director

9. Get involved in your business community, you will learn from others

10. Don’t be afraid to ask for specialist help or advice – successful companies, both large and small, regularly do so.

Anyone wanting more details about any of the above, or thinking about growing their business should call David Foster on 01202 427464. Anyone wanting to join one of the Rural Dorset Business Clubs should call Val Pothecary on 01747 821761.

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